Exhaust gas flow device

ABSTRACT

A flow device for an exhaust treatment system includes a base and at least one flow deflector tube secured to the base. The flow deflector tube includes a flow inlet, a flow outlet, and a passage that extends through the flow deflector tube from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. The flow outlet is at an angled orientation to the flow inlet. A method of mixing reactants and exhaust in an exhaust treatment system includes the steps of injecting reactants into exhaust gases flowing through an exhaust conduit used to convey the exhaust gases from an engine. Bent tubes are disposed in the exhaust conduit and used to mix the exhaust gases and the reactants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/120,689,filed May 15, 2008, which application claims the benefit of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/938,067, filed May 15, 2007; 60/977,518, filedOct. 4, 2007; and 61/024,677, filed on Jan. 30, 2008, which applicationsare incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles equipped with diesel engines typically include exhaust systemsthat have aftertreatment systems such as selective catalytic reductioncatalyst devices, lean NOx catalyst devices, or lean NOx trap devices toreduce the amount of undesirable gases, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx)from the exhaust. In order for these types of aftertreatment devices towork properly, a doser injects reactants, such as urea, ammonia, orhydrocarbons, into the exhaust gas. As the exhaust gas and reactantsflow through the aftertreatment device, the exhaust gas and reactantsconvert the undesirable gases, such as NOx, into more acceptable gases,such as nitrogen and oxygen. However, the efficiency of theaftertreatment system depends upon how evenly the reactants are mixedwith the exhaust gases. Therefore, there is a need for a flow devicethat provides a uniform mixture of exhaust gases and reactants.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flow device for anexhaust treatment system that uses at least one bent tube for mixingexhaust flow within an exhaust conduit. In certain embodiments, the flowdevice can include a catalyst for catalyzing the decomposition ofreactant injected into the exhaust treatment system.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flow device for anexhaust treatment system having a base and at least one flow deflectortube secured to the base. The flow deflector tube includes a flow inlet,a flow outlet, and a passage that extends through the flow deflectortube from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. The flow outlet is at anangled orientation to the flow inlet.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an exhaust treatmentsystem having an exhaust conduit for conveying exhaust gases from anengine of a vehicle. An aftertreatment device is disposed in the exhaustconduit. A flow device is disposed in the exhaust conduit upstream ofthe aftertreatment device. The flow device includes a base and aplurality of flow deflector tubes secured to the base. Each flowdeflector tube includes a flow inlet, a flow outlet and a passage thatextends through the flow deflector tube from the flow inlet to the flowoutlet. The flow outlet is at an angled orientation to the flow inlet.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of mixingreactants and exhaust in an exhaust treatment system. The methodincludes the steps of injecting reactants into exhaust gases flowingthrough an exhaust conduit used to convey the exhaust gases from anengine. Bent tubes are disposed in the exhaust conduit and used to mixthe exhaust gases and the reactants.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an exhaust treatmentsystem having an exhaust conduit for conveying exhaust gases from anengine of a vehicle, an aftertreatment device disposed in the exhaustconduit and a flow device disposed upstream of the aftertreatmentdevice. The flow device includes an inlet and an outlet and defines anexhaust flow redirection angle measure between the inlet and the outlet.The exhaust flow redirection angle redirects exhaust flow through theflow device such that the exhaust flow swirls about a longitudinal axisof the flow device. The exhaust flow redirection angle is about 45degrees to about 135 degrees.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of mixingexhaust in an exhaust treatment system. The method including injectingreactants into exhaust gases flowing through an exhaust conduit used toconvey the exhaust gases from an engine. The method further includingredirecting the exhaust gases through a flow device. The flow devicehaving an exhaust redirection angle that causes the exhaust gases andthe reactants to swirl about a longitudinal axis of the exhaust conduit.The exhaust redirection angle is about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flow device for anexhaust treatment system. The flow device includes a base and aplurality of flow deflectors disposed on the base. The flow deflectorsdefine an exhaust redirection angle as measured between an exhaust inletand an exhaust outlet of the flow device that is less than or equal toabout 135 degrees.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a housing assemblyfor an exhaust treatment system. The housing assembly includes a mainbody defining an inner cavity. An aftertreatment device is disposed inthe inner cavity. A flow device is adapted to direct exhaust flowcircumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the main body such thatthe exhaust flow exits the flow device at a swirl angle in the range ofabout 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an exhaust treatmentsystem. The exhaust treatment system includes an exhaust conduit that isadapted to convey exhaust gases from an engine, a doser that is adaptedto inject reactants into the exhaust gases, a flow device and a diameterrestriction. The flow device defines an exhaust redirection angle thatcauses the exhaust gases and the reactants to swirl about a longitudinalaxis of the exhaust conduit. The diameter restriction is adapted toreduce the amount of unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants at theaftertreatment device.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an engine exhaust system havingfeatures that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flow device suitable for use in theengine exhaust system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the flow device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flow device taken on line 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flow deflector tube of the flow deviceof FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the flow device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the flow device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the exhaust treatment system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the flow device taken on line 9-9 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theexhaust treatment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theexhaust treatment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theexhaust treatment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theexhaust treatment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theexhaust treatment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theexhaust treatment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a view of the flow device of FIG. 2 in a housing assembly.

FIG. 17 is a view of the flow device of FIG. 2 in an alternateembodiment of a housing assembly.

FIG. 18 is a view of the flow device of FIG. 2 in an alternateembodiment of a housing assembly.

FIG. 19 is a view showing the flow device of FIG. 2 including catalyzedsubstrates for catalyzing a desired chemical reaction at the flowdevice.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a flowdevice suitable for use in the engine exhaust system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a flowdeflector suitable for use with the flow device of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the flow deflector of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a flow path through the flow device ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a schematic representation of the flow path through the flowdevice of FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a flowdevice suitable for use in the engine exhaust system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a deflectorsuitable for use with the flow device of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a housingassembly suitable for use with the engine exhaust system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 28 is left side view of the housing assembly of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the housing assembly of FIG. 27taken on line 29-29 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a housing assemblysuitable for use with the engine exhaust system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 31 is a left side view of the housing assembly of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a left side view of an alternate embodiment of a housingassembly suitable for use with the engine exhaust system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an engine exhaust system, generally designated11, is shown. The engine exhaust system 11 includes an engine 13, a fueltank 14 for supplying fuel (e.g., diesel fuel) to the engine 13, an airintake 15, an air filter 16, and an exhaust conduit 17 for conveyingexhaust gas away from the engine 13. The engine exhaust system 11 alsoincludes an exhaust treatment system, generally designated 19, which isin communication with the exhaust conduit 17. In the subject embodiment,the exhaust treatment system 19 includes a doser 21, a flow device,generally designated 23, a baffle or a diameter restriction 24, and anaftertreatment device, generally designated 25.

The aftertreatment device 25 can include a structure such as a catalyticconverter, diesel particulate filter, a selective catalytic reduction(SCR) catalyst device, a lean NOx catalyst device, a lean NOx trap, orother device for removing pollutants from the exhaust stream. As thesetypes of aftertreatment devices 25 are well known to those skilled inthe art, the aftertreatment devices 25 will only be briefly describedherein.

Catalytic converters (diesel oxidation catalysts or DOC's) are typicallyused in an exhaust system to convert undesirable gases such as carbonmonoxide and hydrocarbons from a vehicle's exhaust into carbon dioxideand water. DOC's can have a variety of known configurations. Exemplaryconfigurations include substrates defining channels that extendcompletely therethrough. Exemplary catalytic converter configurationshaving both corrugated metal and porous ceramic substrates/cores aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,973, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. The substrates preferably include a catalyst.For example, the substrate can be made of a catalyst, impregnated with acatalyst or coated with a catalyst. Exemplary catalysts include preciousmetals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, and other types ofcomponents such as base metals or zeolites.

In one non-limiting embodiment, a catalytic converter can have a celldensity of at least 200 cells per square inch, or in the range of200-400 cells per square inch. A preferred catalyst for a catalyticconverter is platinum with a loading level greater than 30 grams/cubicfoot of substrate. In other embodiments the precious metal loading levelis in the range of 30-100 grams/cubic foot of substrate. In certainembodiments, the catalytic converter can be sized such that in use, thecatalytic converter has a space velocity (volumetric flow rate throughthe DOC/volume of DOC) less than 150,000/hour or in the range of50,000-150,000/hour.

The diesel particulate filter (DPF), on the other hand, is typicallyused in an exhaust system to remove particulate matter (e.g., carbonbased particulate matter such as soot) from the exhaust. DPF's can havea variety of known configurations. An exemplary configuration includes amonolith ceramic substrate having a “honey-comb” configuration ofplugged passages as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,015, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Wire meshconfigurations can also be used. In certain embodiments, the substratecan include a catalyst. Exemplary catalysts include precious metals suchas platinum, palladium and rhodium, and other types of components suchas base metals or zeolites.

For certain embodiments, diesel particulate filters can have aparticulate mass reduction efficiency greater than 75%. In otherembodiments, diesel particulate filters can have a particulate massreduction efficiency greater than 85%. In still other embodiments,diesel particulate filters can have a particulate mass reductionefficiency equal to or greater than 90%. For purposes of thisspecification, the particulate mass reduction efficiency is determinedby subtracting the particulate mass that enters the diesel particulatefilter from the particulate mass that exits the diesel particulatefilter, and by dividing the difference by the particulate mass thatenters the diesel particulate filter.

The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst device is typicallyused in an exhaust system to remove undesirable gases such as nitrogenoxides (NOx) from the vehicle's emissions. SCR's are capable ofconverting NOx to nitrogen and oxygen in an oxygen rich environment withthe assistance of reactants such as urea or ammonia, which are injectedinto the exhaust stream upstream of the SCR through the doser 21.

The lean NOx catalyst device is also capable of converting NOx tonitrogen and oxygen. In contrast to SCR's, lean NOx catalysts usehydrocarbons as reducing agents/reactants for conversion of NOx tonitrogen and oxygen. The hydrocarbon is injected into the exhaust streamupstream of the lean NOx catalyst. At the lean NOx catalyst, the NOxreacts with the injected hydrocarbons with the assistance of a catalystto reduce the NOx to nitrogen and oxygen. While the exhaust treatmentsystem 19 will be described as including an SCR, it will be understoodthat the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to an SCR asthere are various catalyst devices that can be used in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

The lean NOx traps use a material such as barium oxide to absorb NOxduring lean burn operating conditions. During fuel rich operations, theNOx is desorbed and converted to nitrogen and oxygen by reaction withhydrocarbons in the presence of catalysts (precious metals) within thetraps.

Referring still to FIG. 1, in the subject embodiment, the exhausttreatment system 19 includes a housing assembly, generally designated27, having a first axial end 29 and an oppositely disposed second axialend 31. In the subject embodiment, the first axial end 29 supports aninlet tube 33, which is generally aligned with an end 35 of the exhaustconduit 17. The second axial end 31 of the housing assembly 27 supportsan outlet tube 37, which is generally aligned with an end 38 of theexhaust conduit 17. In the subject embodiment, the flow device 23, whichwill be described in greater detail subsequently, is disposed within thehousing assembly 27 and positioned adjacent to the inlet tube 33. Theaftertreatment device 25 is disposed within the housing assembly 27 andpositioned between the flow device 23 and the outlet tube 37. The baffle24 is disposed within the housing assembly 27 and positioned downstreamof the flow device 23 such that the baffle 24 is located between theflow device 23 and the aftertreatment device 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the flow device 23 will be described. In thesubject embodiment, the flow device 23 includes a base, generallydesignated 39, and a plurality of flow deflector tubes, generallydesignated 41. In the subject embodiment, the base 39 has an outercircumferential edge 42 having a diameter D. The diameter D is sizedsuch that when the base 39 is disposed in the housing assembly 27, theouter circumferential edge 42 of the base 39 substantially blocks theflow of exhaust between the outer circumferential edge 42 and thehousing assembly 27. In the subject embodiment, the outercircumferential edge 42 of the base 39 is mounted (e.g., spot welded,etc.) to the inner diameter of the housing assembly 27.

In one embodiment, the diameter D is about 9.5 inches. In anotherembodiment, the diameter D is about 11 inches. In another embodiment,the diameter D is about 12.5 inches. In another embodiment, the diameterD is less than or equal to about 14 inches.

The base 39 includes an inlet end 43 and an outlet end 45. The inlet end43 of the base 39 defines a cavity 47. In the subject embodiment, thecavity 47 is generally shallow so as to make the base 39 compact. Theoutlet end 45 defines a plurality of pass-through openings 49 that arein communication with the cavity 47. In the subject embodiment, theoutlet end 45 includes a plurality of lips 51 each of which surroundsone of the pass-through openings 49.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the flow deflector tubes 41 will be described.Each of the flow deflector tubes 41 includes a flow inlet 53, anoppositely disposed flow outlet 55, a transition portion 56, and apassage 57 (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 5) that extends through theflow deflector tube 41 from the flow inlet 53 to the flow outlet 55. Theflow deflector tube 41 has an angled orientation such that the flowoutlet 55 is oriented at an angle α from the flow inlet 53. The terms“angle” and “angled” as used to describe the configuration of the flowoutlet 55 with respect to the flow inlet 53 of the flow deflector tube41 in the disclosure and in the appended claims means any angle, whichis measured as shown in FIG. 5 by reference symbol α, other than 0 or180 degrees unless otherwise limited. In a preferred embodiment, theangle α is about 90 degrees. However, it will be understood that thescope of the present disclosure is not limited to the flow outlet 55being oriented about 90 degrees from the flow inlet 53 as the flowoutlet 55 could be oriented more than 90 degrees from the flow inlet 53or less than 90 degrees from the flow inlet 53. Although in a preferredembodiment, the angle α is greater than or equal to 90 degrees or more.In the subject embodiment, the transition portion 56 provides for agradual change in orientation between the flow inlet 53 and the flowoutlet 55. For example, the transition portion 56 in the subjectembodiment is curved.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the installation and orientation of theflow deflector tubes 41 with respect to the base 39 will be described.In the subject embodiment, and by way of example only, there are fourflow deflector tubes 41. The flow inlet 53 of each of the flow deflectortubes 41 is inserted through one of the lips 51 and into thecorresponding pass-through opening 49 of the outlet end 45 of the base39. The lip 51, which surrounds the pass-through opening 49, supportsthe flow inlet 53 of the flow deflector tube 41. With the flow deflectortubes 41 inserted into the pass-through openings 49 of the base 39, theflow deflector tubes 41 are oriented with respect to the base 39 suchthat a first plane 59 (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 6), whichsymmetrically bisects the flow deflector tube 41 through the center ofthe flow inlet 53 and the center of the flow outlet 55, is at an angle θfrom a second plane 61 (shown as a dashed line in FIG. 6), whichsymmetrically bisects the flow device 23 through the center of the base39 and the center of the flow inlet 53 of the flow deflector tube 41. Itis preferred that the angle θ be less than or equal to 90 degrees. It ismore preferred that the angle θ be about 70 degrees. In a preferredembodiment, the flow deflector tubes 41 are positioned such that thecenter of the flow inlet 53 of each flow deflector tube 41 is a radialdistance R from the center of the base 39. It will be understood,however, that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to thecenter of the flow inlet 53 of each flow deflector tube 41 beingpositioned a distance R from the center of the base 39, as it may beadvantageous in certain applications for the flow deflector tubes 41 tohave distinct distances R between the center of the base 39 and each ofthe flow deflector tubes 41.

In the subject embodiment, the base 39 and each of the flow deflectortubes 41 are made from a material such as steel. After the flowdeflector tubes 41 are inserted into the pass-through openings 49 of thebase 39, each flow deflector tube 41 is affixed to the base 39. In thesubject embodiment, each flow deflector tube 41 is welded to thecorresponding lip 51 of the base 39. As other methods of affixation arepossible, such as a press-fit, the scope of the present disclosure isnot limited to the flow deflector tube 41 being welded to the base 39.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, the flow of exhaust through the flowdevice 23 will be described. Exhaust enters the cavity 47 of the base 39through the inlet end 43 in an axial flow direction 65 (shown as anarrow in FIGS. 4 and 5). Exhaust, flowing in the axial flow direction65, enters the passages 57 of the flow deflector tubes 41 through theflow inlets 53 of the flow deflector tubes 41, which are disposed in thepass-through openings 49 in the base 39. As the exhaust travels throughthe passages 57, the transition portion 56 of the flow deflector tubes41 changes the direction of the exhaust from the axial flow direction 65to a radial flow direction 67 (shown as an arrow in FIGS. 5 and 7). Theangle of the radial flow direction 67 with respect to the axial flowdirection 65 is dependent on the angle α(shown in FIG. 6). In thesubject embodiment, and by way of example only, the angle α is about 90degrees. As shown in FIG. 5, the axial flow direction 65 is rotatedabout 90 degrees in the clockwise direction through the transitionportion 56 of the flow deflector tube 41 into the radial flow direction67. While exhaust enters the cavity 47 of the flow device 23 in theaxial flow direction 65, exhaust leaves the flow outlet 55 of the flowdeflector tube 41 of the flow device 23 of the subject embodiment in theradial flow direction 67. The purpose for the change in flow directionwill be described in more detail subsequently.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 8, the flow of exhaust through the exhausttreatment system 19 will be described. In the subject embodiment, thehousing assembly 27 includes both the flow device 23 and theaftertreatment device 25. In a preferred embodiment, the housingassembly 27 is a larger body having a diameter that is greater than orequal to eight inches. In one embodiment, the housing assembly 27 is amuffler body having a diameter in the range of eight to thirteen inches.However, it will be understood that the scope of the present disclosureis not limited to the housing assembly 27 having a diameter greater thanor equal to eight inches as the housing assembly 27 could be a smallbody such as an exhaust pipe.

Exhaust enters an inlet tube 33 of the housing assembly 27. The exhaust,traveling in the axial flow direction 65, enters the cavity 47 of theflow device 23 and then flows through the flow deflector tubes 41. Aspreviously described, the flow direction of the exhaust changes as theexhaust travels through the transition portion 56 of the flow deflectortubes 41. Therefore, the exhaust exits the flow device 23 in the radialflow direction 67. As the exhaust exits the flow deflector tubes 41 inthe radial flow direction 67, the exhaust swirls circumferentiallyaround the housing assembly 27. As the exhaust swirls circumferentiallyaround the housing assembly 27, the doser 21, in the subject embodiment,injects reactants (e.g., urea, ammonia, hydrocarbons) into the exhaust.

Due to the circumferential swirling of the exhaust, the reactants areuniformly distributed in the exhaust. As previously stated, it ispreferred that the housing assembly 27 be a large body having a diametergreater than or equal to eight inches. This large body of the housingassembly 27 in a preferred embodiment promotes the effectivecircumferential swirling of the exhaust and promotes the uniformdistribution of the reactants in the exhaust. Uniform distribution ofthe reactants is important for the aftertreatment device 25 to performeffectively. In the prior art exhaust treatment systems, uniformdistribution of the doser contents into the exhaust was achieved througha long axial distance between the doser 21 and the aftertreatment device25. However, by changing the flow direction of the exhaust, the exhaustand the contents of the doser 21 that are injected into the exhaust areeffectively mixed over a much smaller axial distance. Therefore, oneadvantage of the present disclosure is that it provides a uniformmixture of the exhaust and the contents of the doser 21 over a smallaxial distance. Additionally, the swirling action allows reactants tovaporize and/or hydrolyze in a relatively short axial distance. Forexample, a reactant such as urea can be vaporized and decomposed intoammonia and carbon dioxide while swirling in a circumferential directionthereby shortening the axial distance required for the vaporization anddecomposition of the urea to occur.

In one embodiment, after the exhaust mixture exits the flow device 23,the exhaust mixture enters the aftertreatment device 25. As previouslydescribed, the aftertreatment device 25 converts the exhaust mixture,which contains NOx and reactants, to nitrogen and oxygen or carbondioxide and water in the case where the device is designed to reducetotal NOx emissions.

Referring now to FIG. 8, after the exhaust mixture exits the flow device23, the exhaust mixture flows through a passage 66 in the baffle 24. Thebaffle 24 includes a body 68 that defines the passage 66. In the subjectembodiment, the passage 66 is centrally disposed in the body 68. Anouter diameter of the body 68 is sized to fit within the housing 27. Thepassage 66 in the baffle 24 is sized such that the inner diameter of thepassage 66 is less than the diameter of the housing 27.

As the exhaust mixture circumferentially swirls in the housing assembly27, heavier reactants (e.g., unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants) inthe exhaust mixture are pushed radially outward from the exhaust mixtureby centrifugal force such that the heavier reactants are retainedagainst a wall of the housing assembly 27. As the exhaust mixturecircumferentially flows past the reactants disposed against the wall ofthe housing assembly 27, these reactants are vaporized or hydrolyzed.After the vaporization or hydrolyzation of these reactants, thereactants reenter the exhaust mixture and pass through the passage 66 ofthe baffle 24. After the exhaust mixture passes through the passage 66,the exhaust mixture enters the aftertreatment device 25.

The housing assembly 27 defines a first section disposed upstream of thebaffle 24 and a second section disposed downstream of the baffle 24. Theflow device 23 is disposed in the first section of the housing assembly27 while the aftertreatment device 25 is disposed in the second section.Since the inner diameter of the passage 66 in the baffle 24 is less thandiameter of the housing 27, the unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants,which are held against the wall of the housing assembly 27 by thecentrifugal force of the exhaust mixture, are retained in the firstsection of the housing assembly 27 rather than flowing to theaftertreatment device 25. The body 68 of the baffle 24 reduces theamount of unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants at the aftertreatmentdevice 25. After the reactants vaporize and reenter the exhaust mixture,however, the reactants can flow through the passage 66 to theaftertreatment device 25.

The passage 66 is sized to retain the unvaporized or unhydrolyzedreactants in the first section of the housing assembly 27. In oneembodiment, the passage 66 is also sized to provide a generally uniformdistribution of the exhaust mixture on the face of the aftertreatmentdevice 25. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the innerdiameter of the passage 66 per the diameter of the housing assembly 27is in a range of about 0.20 to about 0.95. In another embodiment, and byway of example only, the inner diameter of the passage 66 per thediameter of the housing assembly 27 is in a range of about 0.55 to about0.85. In another embodiment, the inner diameter of the passage 66 perthe diameter of the housing assembly 27 is less than or equal to about0.95.

In the subject embodiment, the baffle 24 is disposed a longitudinaldistance L from the aftertreatment device 25. The longitudinal distanceL is a function of the velocity of the exhaust mixture as the exhaustmixture passes through the passage 66. The longitudinal distance L isselected such that the exhaust mixture is generally uniformlydistributed on the face of the aftertreatment device 25. In oneembodiment, and by way of example only, the longitudinal distance L isin a range of about 0.25 inches to about 6 inches. In anotherembodiment, and by way of example only, the longitudinal distance L isin a range of about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches. another embodiment,and by way the longitudinal distance L is in a range of about 1.5 inchesto about 2.5 inches. In another embodiment, and by way of example only,the longitudinal distance L is less than or equal to about 4 inches.

By retaining the unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants in the firstsection of the housing assembly 27, the baffle 24 eliminates or reducesthe amount of unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants in the exhaustmixture at the aftertreatment device 25. Since the efficiency of theexhaust treatment system 19 increases as the amount of unvaporized orunhydrolyzed reactants in the exhaust gas mixture decreases, thecombination of the flow device 23 and the baffle 24 allows for a moreefficient exhaust treatment system 19 in a more compact space.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in a preferred embodiment, the doser 21is positioned upstream from a perspective of axial flow 65 (i.e., to theleft with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9) of a mixing plane 69, which isdefined by the centers of the flow outlets 55 of the flow deflectortubes 41. While it will be understood that the scope of the presentdisclosure is not limited to the doser 21 being to the left of themixing plane 69, such a configuration is preferred. The primary reasonfor this preference is that by injecting the reactants into the exhaustat a location to the left of the mixing plane 69, the reactants from thedoser 21 are subjected to the circumferential swirling of the exhaustfor a greater axial distance thereby resulting in a more uniform exhaustmixture. Although the doser 21 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 as beingdisposed between the mixing plane 69 and the base 39 of the flow device23, in the alternative, a doser 121 (shown in FIG. 9 with dashed lines)could be positioned upstream with respect to axial flow 65 (i.e., to theleft with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9) of the inlet end 43 of the base 39.In this doser 121 position, the reactants would be injected into theexhaust prior to the exhaust entering the cavity 47 of the flow device23.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of an exhaust treatment system 219 is shown. In describingthis alternative embodiment, elements which are the same as, orfunctionally equivalent to elements in the embodiments shown in FIGS.1-9 will bear the same reference numeral, plus 200, while new elementswill have reference numerals greater than 269. In the subjectembodiment, a catalytic converter 277, a diesel particulate filter 279,a doser 221, a flow device 223, and a first and second SCR 225 aredisposed inside of a housing assembly 227. Exhaust enters an inlet tube233, which is disposed on a first axial end 229 of the housing assembly227 of the exhaust treatment system 219. The exhaust flows in an axialflow direction 265 through the catalytic converter 277. The exhaust thenflows through the diesel particulate filter 279. After exiting thediesel particulate filter 279, the exhaust enters the flow device 223,where the axial flow direction 265 of the exhaust is converted to aradial flow direction 267. As the exhaust swirls circumferentiallythrough the housing after leaving the flow device 223, the doser 221,which is disposed to the before of a mixing plane 269, injects reactants(e.g., urea or ammonia where an SCR catalyst is used or hydrocarbonswhere a lean NOx catalyst or a lean NOx trap is used) into the exhaustforming an exhaust mixture. The exhaust mixture then flows through apassage 268 of a baffle 224 and into the first SCR 225 where the exhaustmixture is converted into nitrogen and oxygen. The exhaust mixture thenflows through the second SCR 225 where any remaining NOx and urea orammonia is converted to nitrogen and oxygen.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of an exhaust treatment system 319 is shown. In describingthis alternative embodiment, elements which are the same as, orfunctionally equivalent to elements in embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9will bear the same reference numeral, plus 300, while new elements willhave reference numerals greater than 369. In the subject embodiment, ahousing assembly, generally designated 327, includes an inlet portion371, an outlet portion 373, and a connecting tube 375. A catalyticconverter 377, a diesel particulate filter 379, a doser 321, and a flowdevice 323 are disposed in the inlet portion 371 of the housing assembly327 while a first and second SCR 325 are disposed in the outlet portion373. In the subject embodiment, the doser 321 is disposed to the left ofa mixing plane 369 of the flow device 323 and injects reactants into theexhaust. The connecting tube 375 provides communication between theinlet and outlet portions 371, 373. As the connecting tube 375 includesan inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the inletportion 371 of the housing assembly 327, the interface between the inletportion 371 and the connecting tube 375 functions as a baffle.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of an exhaust treatment system 419 is shown. In describingthis alternative embodiment, elements which are the same as, orfunctional equivalents to elements in embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9will bear the same reference numeral, plus 400, while new elements willhave reference numerals greater than 469. In the subject embodiment, ahousing assembly, generally designated 427, includes an inlet portion471, an outlet portion 473, and a connecting tube 475. A catalyticconverter 477, a diesel particulate filter 479 are disposed in the inletportion 471 of the housing assembly 427 while a first and second SCR425, a flow device 423 and a baffle 424 are disposed in the outletportion 473. The connecting tube 475 provides communication between theinlet and outlet portions 471, 473 and in the subject embodiment alsoprovides a location for a doser 421. Therefore, in this embodiment, thedoser 421 injects reactants into the exhaust prior to the exhaustentering the flow device 423.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of an exhaust treatment system 519 is shown. In describingthis alternative embodiment, elements which are the same as, orfunctional equivalents to elements in embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9will bear the same reference numeral, plus 500, while new elements willhave reference numerals greater than 569. In the subject embodiment, ahousing assembly, generally designated 527 includes an inlet portion571, an outlet portion 573, and a connecting tube 575. A catalyticconverter 577, a diesel particulate filter 579 are disposed in the inletportion 571 of the housing assembly 527 while a doser 521, a flow device523, a baffle 524 and a first and second SCR 525 are disposed in theoutlet portion 573. The connecting tube 575 provides communicationbetween the inlet and outlet portions 571, 573.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of an exhaust treatment system 619 is shown. In describingthis alternative embodiment, elements which are the same as, orfunctional equivalents to elements in embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9will bear the same reference numeral, plus 600, while new elements willhave reference numerals greater than 669. In the subject embodiment, ahousing assembly, generally designated 627, includes an inlet portion671, an outlet portion 673, and a connecting tube 675. A catalyticconverter 677 and a diesel particulate filter 679 are disposed in theinlet portion 671 of the housing assembly 627 while a first and secondSCR 625 are disposed in the outlet portion 673. A doser 621 and a flowdevice 623 are disposed in the connecting tube 675, which providescommunication between the inlet and outlet portions 671, 673.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of an exhaust treatment system 719 is shown. In describingthis alternative embodiment, elements which are the same as, orfunctionally equivalent to elements in embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9will bear the same reference numeral, plus 700, while new elements willhave reference numerals greater than 769. In the subject embodiment, ahousing assembly, generally designated 727, includes an inlet portion771, an outlet portion 773, and a connecting tube 775. A catalyticconverter 777, a diesel particulate filter 779, a doser 721, and a flowdevice 723 are disposed in the inlet portion 771 of the housing assembly727 while a first and second SCR 725 are disposed in the outlet portion773. In the subject embodiment, the doser 721 is disposed to the left ofthe flow device 723 and injects reactants into the exhaust. Theconnecting tube 775 provides communication between the inlet and outletportions 771, 773 and defined a constriction (e.g., a reduction indiameter as compared to the inlet and outlet portions 771, 773). Atapered portion 780 is provided within the outlet portion 773 at alocation upstream from the first SCR 725. The tapered portion 780defines an inner passage that gradually enlarges as the tapered portion780 extends from the connecting tube 775 toward the first SCR 725. Inone embodiment, the tapered portion 780 is generally conical. Thecombination of the flow device 723, the reduced diameter connecting tube775 and the tapered portion 780 provides an arrangement with minimalvoids for collecting reactant that provides generally even flowdistribution at the upstream face of the SCR 725 and uniform heating ofthe SCR 725.

In one embodiment of the housing assembly 727, the inlet portion 771includes an inlet pipe 781 having a diameter of about 4 inches, theoutlet portion 773 includes an outlet pipe 783 having a diameter ofabout 4 inches, the connecting tube 775 has a diameter of about 6inches, and the catalytic converter 777, the diesel particulate filter779, the flow device 723 and the SCR's 725 each have outer diameters ofabout 10.5 inches. In other embodiment of the housing assembly, theinlet pipe 781 has a diameter of about 5 inches, the outlet pipe 783 hasa diameter of about 5 inches, the connecting tube 775 has a diameter ofabout 6 inches, and the catalytic converter 777, the diesel particulatefilter 779, the flow device 723 and the SCR's 725 each have outerdiameters of about 12 inches. Of course, other sizes could be used aswell.

Referring now to FIG. 16-18, the flow device 23 is shown in varioushousing assembly 27 embodiments. In FIG. 16, the flow device 23 ismounted at a mid-portion of the housing assembly 27 for use in theexhaust treatment system 219, which is shown schematically in FIG. 10.In FIG. 17, the flow device 23 is mounted at an outlet portion 371 ofthe housing assembly 327 for use in the exhaust treatment system 319,which is shown schematically in FIG. 11. In FIG. 18, the flow device 23is mounted at an inlet portion 471, 571 of the housing assembly 427, 527for use in the exhaust treatment systems 419, 519, which are shownschematically in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively.

As previously stated, one of the many advantages of the exhausttreatment system 19 of the present disclosure is that a uniform exhaustmixture, which includes engine exhaust and reactants from the doser 21,is achieved. By changing the flow direction of the exhaust through theflow device 23, the reactants can be uniformly distributed throughoutthe exhaust.

Another advantage of the exhaust treatment system 19 of the presentdisclosure is that the overall length of the exhaust treatment system 19can be reduced as less axial distance is needed between the doser 21 andthe aftertreatment device 25 to uniformly mix exhaust and the reactantsfrom the doser 21.

While the exhaust treatment system 19 of the present disclosure has beendescribed with respect to NOx reduction devices, the teachings of thepresent disclosure can be used for any application in which mixing orseparating of a material dispensed into exhaust is desired. For example,hydrocarbons can be injected upstream of a catalytic converter whereincombustion of the hydrocarbons at the catalytic converter generates heatfor regenerating a downstream diesel particulate filter. Mixing isdesirable in this application to provide efficient use of the catalystand substrate.

As described above, flow devices in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure provide excellent flow distributions by the wayof thermal mixing and reactant solution vaporization. However, at lowexhaust temperatures, incomplete vaporization and/or decomposition ofreactant may result in the deposition of reactant at high-contact areasof a flow device (e.g., see areas 800 and 802 of the flow device 23 ofFIG. 17). For example, the use of urea as a reactant at low exhausttemperatures may result in the deposition of solid urea, cyanuric acidand biuret on high-contact areas of the flow device thus reducingoverall NOx efficiency of the SCR aftertreatment system.

An additional side effect of the low temperature operation relates to atime lag that may occur between the time the reactant is injected andthe time the reactant reaches the SCR aftertreatment system. At lowertemperatures, reactant takes longer to vaporize in the exhaust stream.Un-vaporized reactant (e.g., urea) has a longer residence time in theflow device than vaporized reactant because it swirls longer within theflow device due to centrifugal force that retains the un-vaporizedreactant in the flow device. Therefore, at low temperatures (e.g., lessthan 400 degrees Celsius) the reactant (e.g., urea) swirls longer thanat higher temperatures (greater than 400 degrees Celsius) because of theadditional time required for vaporization thus resulting in increasedtime between injection and NOx reduction.

When using urea as a reactant, it is desirable to maximize thepercentage of urea that decomposes to ammonia and carbon dioxide priorto reaching the SCR aftertreatment device. Urea starts to decompose atabout 160 C. However, this is simply a sublimation phase change whereurea vapor is formed. The actual decomposition starts to occur atelevated exhaust gas temperatures. In fact, only about 50% of the ureadecomposes to ammonia at 400 C. The remaining urea decomposes on the SCRcatalyst surface thus reducing the efficiency of the catalyst storagefunction which should primarily adsorb ammonia.

When urea is injected into the exhaust stream, the following chemicalreactions take place causing the urea to decompose into ammonia andcarbon dioxide:

The intermediate compound found in Equations 1 & 2, isocyanic acid(HNCO), is stable in the gas phase. The stability of HNCO can prevent orresist the full decomposition of the urea. To enhance the decompositionof urea, it is desirable to provide a hydrolysis catalyst at the flowdevice to catalyze the decomposition of HNCO to ammonia and carbondioxide. A flow device with excellent flow distribution properties thatalso serves as a hydrolysis catalyst can enhance overall SCRperformance. In one embodiment, the urea hydrolysis catalyst can includea base metal oxide formulation. For example, a wash coat includingmixture of TiO₂ at 110 g/l, Al₂O₃ at 30 g/l, and SiO₂ at 10 g/l can beused.

It will be appreciated that a variety of techniques can be used toincorporate catalysts such as hydrolysis catalysts into flow devices inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure. For example,hydrolysis catalysts can be applied as a wash coat to the entire surfaceof the flow device, or can be applied as a wash coat to selected regionsof the flow device (e.g., high urea deposit areas). In certainembodiments, the surface of the flow device may be roughened prior toapplying the wash coat. For embodiments where wash coat is applied toonly selected regions of the flow device, the selected regions may beroughened while the remainder of the flow device may remain smooth. Inaddition to catalyzing the decomposition of reactant, the wash coat canalso cause turbulence that enhances flow distribution and mixing. Incertain embodiments, the flow device can be made of a metallic material,a metallic catalyst material, a ceramic and/or silicon carbine material,or other materials.

In certain embodiments, additional structures may be added to the flowdevices to facilitate incorporating a catalyst into the flow devices.For example, a thin-sheet or sheets of alumina-titanate may be placed onall areas and/or some areas of the flow device to apply hydrolysiscatalyst. Alternatively, perforated baffles coated with a wash coathaving a hydrolysis catalyst can be incorporated into high flow areas ofthe flow device (e.g., within the bent tubes). In a further embodiment,as shown at FIG. 19, mini-substrates 900 coated with wash coat having ahydrolysis catalyst are provided in each of the bent tubes 41 of theflow device 23. It will be appreciated that each of the mini-substratescan have a flow-through configuration of the type described above withrespect to catalytic converters.

To enhance the vaporization of reactant, flow devices in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure can also include structuresthat enhance the transfer of heat to the reactant within the flowdevice. For example, heat transfer fins can be provided within the flowdevice (e.g., within the bent tubes) to provide increased surface areafor transferring heat to the reactant passing through the flow device.

Referring now to FIG. 20, an alternate embodiment of a flow device 1001will be described. The flow device 1001 includes a base member,generally designated 1003, and a plurality of flow deflectors, generallydesignated 1005. In the subject embodiment, the base member 1003 has anouter circumferential surface 1007 having a diameter D₂₀. The diameterD₂₀ is sized such that when the base member 1003 is disposed in thehousing assembly 27, the outer circumferential surface 1007 of the basemember 1003 substantially blocks the flow of exhaust between the outercircumferential surface 1007 and the housing assembly 27. In the subjectembodiment, the outer circumferential surface 1007 of the base member1003 is mounted (e.g., spot welded, etc.) to the inner diameter of thehousing assembly 27.

The base 1003 includes an outer ring 1009 and a center section 1011disposed within the outer ring 1009. In the subject embodiment, theouter ring 1009 includes an inner diameter that is greater than an outerdiameter of the center section 1011. As a result of this differencebetween the inner diameter of the outer ring 1009 and the outer diameterof the center section 1011, the outer ring 1009 and the center section1011 cooperatively define a pathway 1013 when the outer ring 1009 andthe center section 1011 are axially aligned. The size of the pathway1013 affects the amount of pressure required for flow to pass throughthe pathway 1013. As the size of the pathway 1013 increases, the amountof pressure required for flow to pass through the pathway 1013decreases.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, the flow deflectors 1005 will bedescribed. The flow deflectors 1005 include a first end 1015 and asecond end 1017. Each flow deflector 1005 has an arcuate configurationsuch that the second end 1017 is oriented at an angle α₂₁ from the firstend 1015. The terms “angle” and “angled” as used to describe theconfiguration of the second end 1017 with respect to the first end 1015of the flow deflector 1005 in the disclosure and in the appended claimsmeans any angle, which is measured as shown in FIG. 21 by referencesymbol α₂₁, other than 0 or 180 degrees unless otherwise limited. In oneembodiment, the angle α₂₁ is a range of about 45 degrees to about 135degrees, about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, about 70 degrees toabout 110 degrees, or about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. In anotherembodiment, the angle α₂₁ is about 90 degrees.

The flow deflector 1005 includes an outer surface 1019 and an innersurface 1021. In the subject embodiment, the inner surface 1021 is aconcave surface that faces toward the pathway 1013 when assembled ontothe base member 1003. The concavity of the inner surface 1021 of theflow deflector 1005 extends between a first side 1023 and a second side1025. In the subject embodiment, the concavity of the inner surface 1021forms a partial circle. In the depicted embodiment, the partial circleis a semi-circle. By having the concavity of the inner surface 1021 forma partial circle, more flow deflectors 1005 can be positioned about thebase member 1003 and therefore better direct the flow through the basemember 1003.

In the depicted embodiment, the first end 1015 of the flow deflector1005 is connectedly engaged with an outlet side 1026 of the outer ring1009 and the center section 1011. In the subject embodiment, the flowdeflector 1005 is oriented on the base member 1003 such that the outerring 1009 and the center section 1011 are connected by the first end1015 of the flow deflector 1005 at the outlet side 1026 of the basemember 1003. It will be understood, however, that the scope of thepresent disclosure is not limited to the outer ring 1009 and the centersection 1011 being connected by the flow deflector 1005 as radial armscould extend between the outer ring 1009 and the center section 1011. Inone embodiment, the first end 1015 of the flow deflector 1005 ismechanically connected (e.g., welded, spot welded, riveted, bonded,etc.) to the outer ring 1009 and the center section 1011.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 20, 23, and 24, an exemplary flow path 1027through the exhaust treatment system 319 is shown. Flow enters the inletportion 371 of the housing assembly 327. The direction of flow path 1027at the inlet portion 371 is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis1029 of the housing assembly 327. The flow passes through the catalyticconverter 377 and the diesel particulate filter 379 and enters an inletside 1031 of the base member 1003 of the flow device 1001. In thedepicted embodiment, the doser 321 is disposed to the left of the mixingplane 369 of the flow device 1001 and injects reactants into theexhaust.

As flow passes through the pathway 1013, the flow path 1027 isredirected by the flow deflectors 1005 such that the flow path 1027circulates or swirls about the longitudinal axis 1029 of the housingassembly 327. In the subject embodiment, the longitudinal axis 1029 ofthe housing assembly 327 is generally coaxial with the longitudinal axisof the flow device 1001. The flow path 1027 is redirected in accordancewith a flow redirection angle β (shown only in FIG. 24) that is measuredfrom the direction of the flow entering the inlet side 1031 of the basemember 1003 of the flow device 1001. The term “flow redirection angle”as used to describe the flow path 1027 through the flow device 1001 inthe disclosure and in the appended claims will be understood as beingmeasured in accordance with the reference symbol β as shown in FIG. 24.In one embodiment, the flow redirection angle β is in the range of about45 degrees to about 135 degrees, about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees,about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees, or about 80 degrees to about 100degrees. In another embodiment, the flow redirection angle β is about 90degrees. In another embodiment, the flow redirection angle β is lessthan or equal to about 135 degrees, less than or equal to about 120degrees, less than or equal to about 110 degrees, less than or equal toabout 100 degrees, less than or equal to about 90 degrees, less than orequal to about 80 degrees, less than or equal to about 70 degrees, lessthan or equal to about 60 degrees, or less than or equal to about 45degrees.

In the subject embodiment, the redirection of the flow in accordancewith the flow redirection angle β provides a number of advantages. Onepotential advantage is that the flow path 1027 through the housingassembly 327 reduces or eliminates voids or areas of cavitation. Voidsor areas of cavitation decrease the efficiency of the exhaust treatmentsystem 319 since these voids or areas of cavitation serve as locationsfor unvaporized or unhydrolyzed reactants to collect. As these voids orareas of cavitation are not in contact with the exhaust, the reactantsdisposed in these locations remain unvaporized or unhydrolyzed.Therefore, by providing an exhaust treatment system 319 that reduces oreliminates voids or cavitation areas, the efficiency of the exhausttreatment system 319 is increased.

Another potential advantage of the redirection of the flow in accordancewith the flow redirection angle β concerns the temperature distributionacross the housing assembly 327. Voids or areas of cavitation in thehousing assembly 327 create cold spots or areas of decreased temperatureas compared to other areas along the flow path of the exhaust. Due tothe effects of temperature on the reactivity of reactants, temperaturevariations can have a negative effect on the performance of exhausttreatment systems. However, as the flow path 1027 in the exhausttreatment system 319 reduces or eliminates these voids or areas ofcavitation, the temperature distribution across the housing assembly 327is relatively uniform, which provides improved performance.

Referring now to FIG. 25, an alternate embodiment of a flow device 1101will be described. The flow device 1101 includes a base member,generally designated 1103, and a plurality of flow deflectors, generallydesignated 1105. In the subject embodiment, the flow deflectors 1105 aredisposed about the periphery of the base member 1103. The flow device1101 also includes one flow deflector 1105 disposed at the center of thebase member 1103.

The base member 1103 defines a plurality of holes 1107 that extendthrough the base member 1103. In the subject embodiment, each hole 1107is disposed adjacent to one of the flow deflectors 1105. The holes 1107through the base member 1103 provide a passageway for flow through thebase member 1103 without passing through one of the flow deflectors1105. The number and size of the holes 1107 impact the amount ofpressure required for flow to pass through flow device 1101. As the sizeof each of the holes 1107 increases, the amount of pressure required forflow to pass through the flow device 1101 decreases. As the number ofholes 1107 increases, the amount of pressure required for flow to passthrough the flow device 1101 decreases.

Referring now to FIG. 26, an alternate embodiment of a deflector 1105will be described. The deflectors 1105 include a first end 1115 and asecond end 1117. Each flow deflector 1105 has an arcuate configurationsuch that the second end 1117 is oriented at an angle α₂₆ from the firstend 1115. In the subject embodiment, the angle α₂₆ is greater than 90degrees. However, in the subject embodiment, while the second end 1117is oriented at an angle α₂₆ that is more than 90 degrees from the firstend 1115, the flow redirection angle β of the deflector 1105 is about 90degrees. In the depicted embodiment, the orientation of the second end1117 assists in having more deflectors 1105 disposed about the peripheryof the base member 1103 as the angle α₂₆ of the second end 1117 reducesor eliminates interference between deflectors 1105. The greater theangle α₂₆ the closer the deflectors 1105 can be relative to one another.

Referring now to FIGS. 27-29, an alternate embodiment of a housingassembly 1201 is shown. The housing assembly 1201 includes a first axialend portion 1203 and an oppositely disposed second axial end portion1205. The housing assembly 1201 further includes an outer surface 1207and defines an inner cavity 1209.

Disposed within the inner cavity 1209 of the housing assembly 1201 arethe baffle 24 and the aftertreatment device 25. An inlet tube 1211,which is disposed at the first axial end portion 1203 of the housing1201, and an outlet tube 1213, which is disposed at the second axial endportion 1205, are in fluid communication with the inner cavity 1209 ofthe housing assembly 1201.

The inlet tube 1211 is in fluid communication with the inner cavity 1209through the outer surface 1207 of the housing assembly 1205 at the firstaxial end portion 1203. As best shown in FIG. 28, the inlet tube 1211 isgenerally tangent to outer surface 1207 of the housing assembly 1205.The tangential interface between the inlet tube 1211 and the outersurface 1207 of the housing assembly 1201 is adapted to redirect theexhaust flow such that the exhaust flow swirls circumferentially about alongitudinal axis 1215 of the housing assembly 1201. As the exhaustmixture enters the inner cavity 1209 of the housing assembly 1205through the inlet tube 1211, the exhaust mixture swirls within the innercavity 1209. The exhaust mixture then passes through the passage 66 ofthe baffle 24 to the aftertreatment device 25.

As the exhaust mixture swirls within the inner cavity 1209 prior topassing through the passage 66 of the baffle 24, the reactants that aredispensed into the exhaust by the doser 21 (shown schematically in FIG.8) are mixed into the exhaust. In addition, unvaporized and/orunhydrolyzed reactants are pushed toward the wall of the housingassembly 1201 by centrifugal forces. As previously described, the body68 of the baffle 24 prevents the reactants disposed against the wall ofthe housing assembly 1201 from flowing in an axial direction to theaftertreatment device 25. After the reactants vaporize, however, thereactants can flow through the passage 66 to the aftertreatment device25.

The subject embodiment of the housing assembly 1201 is potentiallyadvantageous as it is compact. As the swirling motion of the exhaustmixture is accomplished as a result of the generally tangentialinterface between the inlet tube 1211 and the outer surface 1207 of thehousing assembly 1205, less space is needed within the inner cavity 1209to mix reactants.

Referring now to FIGS. 30 and 31, an alternate embodiment of a housingassembly 1301 is shown. The housing assembly 1301 includes a first axialend 1303 and an oppositely disposed second axial end 1305. The housingassembly 1301 further includes an inner cavity 1307.

Disposed within the inner cavity 1307 of the housing assembly 1301 arethe baffle 24 and the aftertreatment device 25. An inlet tube 1311 isengaged with the housing assembly 1301 at the first axial end 1303 whilean outlet tube 1313 is engaged with the second axial end 1305.

In the subject embodiment, the inlet tube 1311 is disposed at an outerportion of the first axial end 1303. The inlet tube 1311 includes afirst end 1315 and a second end 1317. The second end 1317 extendsthrough the first axial end 1303 into the inner cavity 1307. In theinner cavity 1307, the inlet tube 1311 redirects the flow through theinlet tube 1311 such that exhausts gases circumferentially swirl about alongitudinal axis 1319 of the housing assembly 1301. In the subjectembodiment, the exhaust gases exiting the second end 1317 are disposedat a swirl angle α₃₀, where the swirl angle α₃₀ is defined as the anglebetween a velocity vector 1321 of the exhaust gases and an axialdirection 1323. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the swirlangle α₃₀ is in the range of about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees. Inanother embodiment, the swirl angle α₃₀ is in the range of about 60degrees to about 100 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 32, an alternate embodiment of a housing assembly1401 is shown. The housing assembly 1401 includes a main body 1403having a first axial end 1405 and an inner cavity 1407. Disposed withinthe inner cavity 1407 of the housing assembly 1401 are the baffle 24 andthe aftertreatment device 25.

An inlet tube 1409 is engaged with an outer portion of the main body1403 at the first axial end 1405 while an outlet tube (not shown) isengaged with a second axial end of the main body 1403. The inlet tube1409 includes a first end portion 1411 that is radially engaged with thehousing assembly 1401.

A flow device 1413 is disposed in the inner cavity 1407 of the housingassembly 1401. In the subject embodiment, the flow device 1413 is a tubethat includes an inlet end 1415 and an outlet end 1417. The flow device1413 is fixed to an inner wall 1419 of the housing assembly 1401 suchthat the inlet end 1415 of the flow device 1413 receives exhaust gasesfrom the inlet tube 1409. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 32, a weld1421 fixes the flow device 1413 to the inner wall 1419 of the housingassembly 1401.

The flow device 1411 redirects the direction of the exhaust gases fromthe inlet tube 1407 such that the exhaust gases flow circumferentiallyabout a longitudinal axis of the main body 1403. In the subjectembodiment, the exhaust gases exiting the outlet end 1417 are disposedat the swirl angle α₃₀. In one embodiment, and by way of example only,the swirl angle α₃₀ is in the range of about 45 degrees to about 135degrees.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeembodiments set forth herein.

1. (canceled)
 2. An exhaust treatment system comprising: an exhaustconduit for conveying exhaust gases from an engine of a vehicle; a NOxreduction aftertreatment device disposed in the exhaust conduit; and aflow device disposed upstream of the NOx reduction aftertreatmentdevice, the flow device including: a base defining an aperture; and aplurality of flow deflectors disposed at the base, circumferentiallyspaced apart, and facing in a common circumferential direction, eachflow deflector extending over a portion of a respective aperture definedthrough the base, each flow deflector having a concave inner surfacefacing a portion of the aperture, each flow deflector having connectingsections connected to the base at opposite sides of the respectiveaperture, the respective aperture extending along the base beyond theconnecting sections of each flow deflector.
 3. The exhaust treatmentsystem of claim 2, wherein the flow deflectors are circumferentiallyspaced in a ring.
 4. The exhaust treatment system of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of flow deflectors includes five flow deflectors.
 5. Theexhaust treatment system of claim 2, wherein the flow deflectors arespaced less than 180° apart.
 6. The exhaust treatment system of claim 2,wherein each of the flow deflectors of the plurality is identical. 7.The exhaust treatment system of claim 2, wherein each flow deflector iselongated between first and second ends, and wherein each flow deflectoris arcuate between the first and second ends.
 8. The exhaust treatmentsystem of claim 2, wherein the second end of each flow deflector isoriented at an angle relative to the first end, the angle being in arange of about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.
 9. The exhaust treatmentsystem of claim 2, wherein the base includes an outer ring and a centersection; and wherein the aperture defined by the base is disposedbetween the outer ring and the center section.
 10. The exhaust treatmentsystem of claim 9, wherein the first flow deflector connects the outerring and the center section.
 11. The exhaust treatment system of claim2, further comprising a doser that injects reactants into the exhaustgases upstream of the NOx reduction aftertreatment device, the reactantsbeing urea or ammonia.
 12. A flow device for use with a NOx reductionaftertreatment device, the flow device comprising: a base defining anaperture; and a plurality of flow deflectors disposed at the base,circumferentially spaced apart, and facing in a common circumferentialdirection, each flow deflector extending over a portion of a respectiveaperture defined through the base, each flow deflector having a concaveinner surface facing a portion of the aperture, each flow deflectorhaving connecting sections connected to the base at opposite sides ofthe respective aperture, the respective aperture extending along thebase beyond the connecting sections of each flow deflector.
 13. Theexhaust treatment system of claim 12, wherein the flow deflectors arecircumferentially spaced in a ring.
 14. The exhaust treatment system ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of flow deflectors includes five flowdeflectors.
 15. The exhaust treatment system of claim 12, wherein theflow deflectors are spaced less than 180° apart.
 16. The exhausttreatment system of claim 12, wherein each of the flow deflectors of theplurality is identical.
 17. The exhaust treatment system of claim 12,wherein each flow deflector is elongated between first and second ends,and wherein each flow deflector is arcuate between the first and secondends.
 18. The exhaust treatment system of claim 12, wherein the secondend of each flow deflector is oriented at an angle relative to the firstend, the angle being in a range of about 45 degrees to about 135degrees.
 19. The exhaust treatment system of claim 12, wherein the baseincludes an outer ring and a center section; and wherein the aperturedefined by the base is disposed between the outer ring and the centersection.
 20. The exhaust treatment system of claim 19, wherein the firstflow deflector connects the outer ring and the center section.